Motivational | Inspiration | Confidence

A few facts about women and STEM: Although women fill close to half of all jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs. This has been the case throughout the past decade, even as college-educated women have increased their share of the overall workforce. Women hold a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees, particularly in engineering. Women with a STEM degree are less likely than their male counterparts to work in a STEM occupation; they are more likely to work in education or healthcare. Learn more quick facts about women at womensquickfacts.com

Supporting women STEM students and researchers is not only an essential part of America’s strategy to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world; it is also important to women themselves. Women in STEM jobs earn 33 percent more than those in non-STEM occupations and experience a smaller wage gap relative to men. And STEM careers offer women the opportunity to engage in some of the most exciting realms of discovery and technological innovation. Increasing opportunities for women in these fields is an important step towards realizing greater economic success and equality for women across the board.

As we beat the drum about the vital role of STEM in the 21st Century economy and the highest quality jobs of the future, the importance of gender – specifically of encouraging more girls to move into STEM fields – cannot be overstated. Women with STEM jobs earn nearly one third more than their counterparts. Yet women remain vastly underrepresented in the STEM workforce as well as among STEM degree holders — despite making up nearly half of the U.S. workforce and half of the college-educated workforce. It is imperative we seize this opportunity and expand STEM employment in the United States, for a variety of compelling reasons not the least of which is improving our nation’s competitiveness.

Programs outside of school can help children to see that STEM is more than a class to finish. Having activities that show real-life implication of STEM can pull together the ideas presented in school and help to show how they benefit our society and even our world as a whole. Children can see that what they are learning now is pertinent to their future and the future of the whole world.

Because STEM is so important for our children, our communities, and our country, we must encourage our students currently in our educational systems, as well as future generations of students, to understand and embrace the technology that affects them every day of their lives.

Students should be advised on the merits of taking as many math and science courses in middle and high school as possible. And these courses need to be taught by engaged and enthusiastic teachers using hands-on and minds-on activities. Making science and math courses fun and interesting will not only help students to learn, but will plant the “seed of interest” that could grow into an exciting and rewarding STEM career.

According to President Obama, “The quality of math and science teachers is the most important single factor influencing whether students will succeed or fail in science, technology, engineering and math.” He believes, “Passionate educators with issue expertise can make all the difference, enabling hands-on learning that truly engages students—including girls and underrepresented minorities—and preparing them to tackle the grand challenges of the 21st century such as increasing energy independence, improving people’s health, protecting the environment, and strengthening our national security,” and I agree. In our rapidly changing, increasingly connected world, STEM is a powerful resource not only to enhance but also to transform teaching and learning.

Do you know that we, America, have a problem with STEM Science Technology, Engineering and Math? Today, few American students pursue expertise in STEM fields—and we have an inadequate pipeline of teachers skilled in those subjects. That’s why President Obama has set a priority of increasing the number of students and teachers who are proficient in these vital fields. Our, nation, our states, cities, our communities, and our Children to must get on board with STEM, or we will be left behind.

Anyone can discover their values, by stating their beliefs. You might say, “I believe it is best to be honest” or I believe to always do the right thing when no one is watching. Again, that’s integrity. This obviously means you value honesty & integrity 100%. For each value you have and that you state, ask yourself the following questions: 1. Would I be willing to state this value to others? 2. How faithfully will I stand by this value when it is challenged, or how faithfully will I stand when acting according to the value brings negative consequences? 3. Do I act consistently and repeatedly in line with this value?

Sometimes you can state your values in words, but many times they guide your behavior without your awareness. People who know themselves well are keenly aware of their values. This keeps them aware, and helps them choose the behavior without confusion. For example: A student who values integrity, that’s doing right when not one is watching. A student who values integrity is conscious of this value and will choose without hesitation not to cheat on exams or shoplift from a stop. Another student may have the same value, but not be aware of them. WHY is That?

Teen years are a time when most struggle to balance the values of their parents, and those they observe as peers. Some teens end up rejecting their parents’ values for awhile. HOWEVER, they end up returning to them as a proven rule for living.Your values are a guide that point you in the direction of positive and negative weights to certain behaviors. For example, you may value sports and reading positively, but shopping and housework negatively. The weights you assign to your values, will guide you in either positive or negative thinking. Remember I told you to be careful.

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